Hey Amy,

 

No need for you to apologise to anyone - this is your space and it's here for you to vent.  I totally understand why you would need to vent too.  You must be really pleased that your clothes are getting looser.  I wore a shirt to work before Christmas that had fitted me comfortably in September.  Could have fitted two of me in it the other day - i felt great.  Guess we will have to save all our money up so that we can buy some cool new clothes soon.

 

Like you I hope to get a fill soon but am scared in a way, I've heard how so many people have issues after a fill and I'm worried that I will have the same problem, but can't tell until it happens.

 

Have a great New Year and may you lose heaps in the coming year.

 

Danna

 

Hi Amy,

 

I'm Ana, and I just stumbled across your site (on the updated list).

 

As soon as I saw the title I jumped in ... it's a procedure that I have been considering getting done.  I'm also not happy with my size, and want to understand the process completely before deciding.  I've just ended a 20 year marriage, and am raising two girls - both  teenagers, so I need to understand the physical implications and restrictions after surgery as well.

 

I don't know you, but feel so proud of you - to do this, be public about it, put your "before" photos up, and keep a journal online - all this takes courage, determination and a real will to succeed.  By the way, most people are happy to put up their "before" photos, but only when they have amazing "after" photos.  It's as if to say, look at me now ... aren't I great.  But when they are going through it, they refuse to show anything that may make them look less than perfect.

 

I believe both you and I know that weight (either too much or not enough) doesn't change who you are as a person.  What it does is restrict your lifestyle, fashion choices and cause concerns regarding health.  As to being lovable, warm, open, friendly, a beautiful person - none of that changes - that's always in us, as I'm sure your wonderful (sounding) husband already knows.  You two sound very lucky to have each other.

 

I am going to click on "invite to be a friend" and I'll leave the decision up to you.  As for my site - feel free to come in a browse, lol.  I write quite a bit, and extremely regularly (boy - do I write - on and on and on)

 

It's my personal journal started shortly after I threw out my husband.  I suffer from depression (due to both my marriage and my previous job) and am finding that having lived a very restricted (traditional) childhood, marrying at 18 and now finally at 39 being on my own and raising 2 children - the journey is extremely varied, strange and exciting.  I have ups and downs (recoving depressive, remember?) and all of it is in my journal.

 

So like I said, feel free to have a gander, and if you want, accept my invitation.  If not, that's fine as well - I fully understand.

 

Good luck Amy, I sincerely wish you good health, and a journey that you enjoy - but also more importantly, that you reach your destination feeling fulfilled, happy and content. 

 

It is something that changes you drastically.  I was a size 8 before I fell pregnant - a size 22 afterwards, then after 12 years a size 14, then back up to a 16-18 two years later, where I currently am.  I'm only 5'3" so it's a lot of weight for my height.  I fully understand the rollercoaster ride that you will be going through emotionally, mentally and physically - but you will survive it.  Just keep in mind that weight comes and goes - but the true person you are will always be there.  People will treat you differently when you lose the weight ... and I hope that you take all that in your stride.

 

I look forward to following your journey and cheering you on from the side lines.

 

Ms Ana